Rugby: Stalwart makes it 50 years of service

Clive Rugby and Sports Club secretary-treasurer Myles Girvan with his 1966 minutes book. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

MYLES GIRVAN was close to tears last night.

The Clive Rugby and Sports Club secretary-treasurer was humbled by the turnout at a function to acknowledge his 50 years of service as club secretary, a New Zealand club rugby record. He was also thinking of one of the key organisers of the "surprise" event which attracted 80 people, club president Alan "Porky" Nisbet, who died on Wednesday at the age of 57 after a battle with cancer.

"It's a shame Porky isn't here. These sort of events were his domain," Girvan said.

"Porky told me a couple of weeks ago to make sure I get to the function because it was a club fundraiser. I had an inkling it might be something else and this was confirmed when I arrived and saw my sister had turned up from Otaki."

In typical Girvan fashion he was prepared. He arrived with his first minutes book and numerous memories to chat about.

"It's funny how a lot of the things we discuss at meetings now are the same as they were in 1966 ... the cost of laundry and a shortage of players," Girvan recalled.

A club player from the age of 5, Girvan, now 69, progressed through the ranks to become a premier player. While half back was his main position, he could recall stints at centre and as a winger, when he marked the likes of former All Blacks and Magpies legends Ian MacRae, who was among last night's guests, and Mick Duncan.

A life member of the club since 1987, Girvan has been secretary-treasurer since 1994.

"I don't know how he has done it but we've never been in the red since he's been treasurer. Myles must have had more than a few sleepless nights," club patron and former president Ron McGrannachan remarked.

"There's been the odd occasion when I've had to top up the funds. It's always a battle and it's not getting any easier with the Gaming Trust funds reducing and changing all the time," Girvan, a self-employed accountant, explained.

There have been numerous highlights during Girvan's time at the 128-year-old club. In 1994, the club's premier team won the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy.

From 1999 to 2001, the club's premiers had an unbeaten run of 46 games, the second best unbeaten streak of any premier team in the country. Girvan ranked 2006 as the most memorable year in the club's history.

Among the highs that year were the winning of the Black and White Trophy, for the Bay's top club, for the first time; having two members of the world champion Black Ferns in Amy Williams and Mel Ngatai; and the club's then junior co-ordinator Daphne Boden collected the 2005 volunteer award at the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's annual Steinlager awards function in Auckland.

"In one of my last talks with Porky we mentioned this year could be the start of an era similar to those good times.

"We've got up to 30 players at premier trainings already," Girvan said.

"We've got a reserve grade team, colts and women."

Girvan has served under seven presidents. The late Jumbo Gardiner was the first, from 1966 to 1976, then Colin Harrison from 1976 to 1979, the late Les Heynes from 1979 to 1984, McGrannachan from 1984 to 1992, the late Bruce Hay from 1992 to 1998, Neil Pulford from 1998 to 2003, and Nisbet from 1998 until this week.

The question had to be asked of Girvan: How long will he continue in the secretary-treasurer role?

"There could be another 10 years as long as I can keep the mind active."

There's also a chance his 6-year-old grandson could join the club this year and follow a similar path to his grandfather.

"I know he's been talking about it ... I might have to bribe him with a new Lego set," Girvan quipped.